The Appointment (1982) - Impressively filmed chiller which borders on Lynchian, but sadly the shaggy dog story, tin-eared dialogue, and sedate pace weakens it. Starts and ends with striking set pieces. Would have made a great episode of Hammer House of Horror.

Planning to make episodes of my podcast Very British Futures about these shows next year. Amongst others. Happy New Year.

My favourite TV series of 2025. It's been an excellent year for television, much more so than for cinema I'd say. Here are my four highlights: #television

An Evening of Seventies Television – I Don’t Do Sci-Fi If you listen to my podcast Very British Futures than chances are you know about I Don't Do Sci-Fi, the podcast produced by good friends of mine. This Christmas, Kevin Hiley and Rebecca Wray produced a two-hour special episode for YouTube…

Hooray! I've wanted to see The Appointment (1981) for ages and Talking Pictures TV are showing it on 1st Jan 9.55pm. Really looking forward to this one.

1984 is one of the most significant books in the English language and the 1954 BBC adaptation was pioneering production itself. Very British Futures podcast celebrates it with Andrew Scott Roe-Crines and Rik Hoskin. #television goodpods.com/podcasts/ver...

Charming time travel romance from the 80's is discussed on the Very British Futures podcast by Gareth, Tim and Chaz goodpods.com/podcasts/ver... The Flipside of Dominick Hide and its sequel.

The #spotifywrapped for my podcast Very British Futures came out today. The Tomorrow People was the most popular episode! Listen now on all major podcast apps. spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/5k7UZbC7oYb

go.goodpods.com/uojxaw It's Alien Nation by way of Shameless. Immigration allegory by C4 The Aliens, discussed by Gareth, Dani and Rebecca on Very British Futures podcast.

share a tv series you've seen from beginning to end more than once Bob's Burgers

“Democracy is a form of collective suicide.” The Guardians – Very British Futures We’re getting political this week in the latest episode of Very British Futures as we examine little known near-future dystopian drama The Guardians. The Guardians, a 13-episode political drama produced by London…

Using our immersive room to teach university students about the police. Amazing feedback. www.linkedin.com/posts/drbenh...

Always sad when a big budget UK science fiction series comes and goes with barely a comment. Rebecca, NIcky and I look back at the good and bad of Outcasts on Very British Futures podcast. goodpods.com/podcasts/ver...

If Nigel Kneale had written Kinvig (1981) as a one-off play about a fantasist who feels trapped in his mundane life it might be pretty good. As a sitcom it is dreary. Tim Reid, Chaz Auchterlonie and myself took a look back in the Very British Futures podcast goodpods.com/podcasts/ver...

Now, Sapphire, take time back! Sapphire and Steel – Very British Futures There's a brand new episode of Very British Futures out there now, tackling another of British TV most famous SF series - Sapphire and Steel. When Sapphire & Steel first aired on ITV in July 1979, it didn’t so much arrive as…

BBC2's remarkable adult science fiction anthology Out of the Unknown deserves to be talked about more. I'd actually want the missing episodes to be found over Doctor Who ones. I went on a deep dive with Stephen Hatcher and Dylan Rees for the Very British Futures podcast goodpods.com/podcasts/ver...

Coming this Saturday to Very British Futures podcast - Sapphire and Steel. Joining me are the erudite Mark Stalker and Simon Exton. I honestly think this is one of the best episodes I've done yet, thanks to them.

Brilliantly helmed by Douglas Camfield, The Nightmare Man was a perfectly formed slice of British SF/Horror from the BBC. Very British Futures had to celebrate it. goodpods.com/podcasts/ver...

For many 80's viewers it remains a traumatic shared memory. Barry Hines, Mick Jackson and Sheffield City Council created a nightmarish glimpse of what might be in "Threads". Very British Futures analysed the story goodpods.com/podcasts/ver...

Wicked Part One - Cynthia Erivo and Adriane Grande give marvellous performances, there are some intelligent alterations to the story, but sadly Wicked collapses under its glacial pace. Worse, it best song "Defying Gravity" is ruined by the interruptions to show off ever more dramatic moments.

One of the great what ifs of SF television. Star Cops was a well-made detective series with decent science and cracking dialogue and characters from Chris Boucher. But it failed to find its audience in time. Very British Futures considers what might have been. goodpods.com/podcasts/ver...

20 Minutes into the Future - possibly the best cyberpunk movie ever made and all to launch a new DJ on Channel 4 - Max Headroom. goodpods.com/podcasts/ver... The Very British Futures podcast investigated.

Aliens are planning to claim the Earth, disguised as humans and inhabiting positions of power. Only one man knows the truth but who will believe him. A 90's UK take on The Invaders - The Uninvited. The fourth episode of Very British Futures podcast goodpods.com/podcasts/ver...

Fantastic! A Celebration of Fans Discovering Doctor Who This week sees the release by Zepo Publishing of a brand new book about Doctor Who and specifically its fanbase around the world - Fantastic! A Celebration of Fans Discovering Doctor Who. Editor Nicholas Seidler sent out a questionnaire…

Star Maidens is coming to Rewind TV soon. A rare chance to see this Anglo-German curiosity which I covered on Very British Futures with Kevin Hiley and Rebecca Wray. Two men travel to Earth to escape a world ruled by women. goodpods.com/podcasts/ver...

What movie do you consider "perfect"?

The third episode of my Very British Futures podcast examined The Tripods, the fondly remembered early evening SF epic set on a future Earth ruled by aliens in giant walking machines. Still one of the most listened to episodes. goodpods.com/podcasts/ver...

Knights of God was set in a future Britain torn apart by civil war and ruled by a pseudo-religious tyranny. Featuring the much missed John Woodvine. goodpods.com/podcasts/ver...

I have a podcast about television SF called Very British Futures. I thought I might post about earlier episodes before I joined Bluesky. It all started with teatime family adventure from 1950's - Pathfinders in Space / Pathfinders to Mars / Pathfinders to Venus goodpods.com/podcasts/ver...

Helloooo from Southerness beach

Just finished Firewatch. An excellent example of a focused story game with intuitive controls, excellent writing and voice performances and satisfying gameplay. I'll put this up with "Her Story" and "Telling Lies" and I'd love to her some recommendations for similar games. #gaming

Codename Icarus – Very British Futures Watch out, the latest episode of Very British Futures is available now and this time we are delving into obscurity again to analyze Codename Icarus, what would now be called a techno-thriller, and aimed at teenagers. Joining me on the journey are my old…

A private school hiding a deadly secret. British military defense sabotaged. A black project escalating the cold war. All part of "Codename: Icarus", the latest episode of Very British Futures podcast open.spotify.com/episode/1uT4...

Peter Cushing. There are lots of actors I admire but few who save so many mediocre films through his authoritative presence. Name an actor or actress whose movies you'll watch because they are in them 🎬

A Jaunt with The Tomorrow People – Very British Futures This week sees the launch of the latest episode of the Very British Futures podcast, an epic length appreciation of The Tomorrow People, one ITV's most successful family science fiction programmes. I did consider splitting this into two parts…

It strikes me that if a Doctor Who movie had been made in late 80's/early 90's it probably would have turned out like Biggles: Adventures in Time. (I'm a big fan of this eccentric attempt at relaunching Biggles for da kidz) #doctorwho

Fun fact* - Michael Jackson was cosplaying Elizabeth in that outfit. *Probably not a fact

Next up from the Very British Futures podcast this Saturday - The Tomorrow People 70's flavour. I'm joined by @randomiserpod.bsky.social Tim and Chaz to talk about breaking out with new powers and fighting for the Earth.

What movie have you seen an unhealthy number times? 🎬

“I’m ready to come up” Blake’s 7 – Very British Futures I wasn't going to do a Blake's 7 episode when I conceived my podcast Very British Futures. I felt that show already had several excellent podcasts covering it and my series was about the less celebrated UK shows. In time however, I found that…

Been a fascinating run of episodes on these Plays for Tomorrow, and I commend them to the house.

Easter 2016 – Play for Tomorrow – Very British Futures This week's episode of Very British Futures features something brand new - a short history lesson. Because this week we look at a fairly unique meeting of Northern Ireland politics and science fiction in the Play for Tomorrow - Easter 2016 and…

Shades – Play for Tomorrow – Very British Futures Kids! Back in 1999 you couldn't get them to take off their VR shades for love or money. Not to mention their shiny metallic jumpsuits and their all-night parties in their government provided luxury accomodation! Well Shades may seem amusingly…

The Nuclear Family – Very British Futures This week on the Very British Futures podcast, we’re turning back the clock to the shadow of the Cold War, as we examine the fourth Play for Tomorrow -The Nuclear Family – a blackly comic TV play that aired in 1982. A blend of domestic drama and…

Superman (2025) - Immensely enjoyable superhero movie with heart and intelligence. Most Superman adaptations strip away elements to make him more 'real'. Ironically James Gunn embracing the comicbook craziness of the character helps make the character more believable and relatable. #superman

Slaine: The Horned God – Live on Stage My friend Rik Hoskin has told me about an intriguing new UK theatre event that might be of interest to readers: Professional storyteller Jason Buck will deliver an official adaptation of 2000AD‘s Slaine: The Horned God, based on the story written by Pat…

Bright Eyes – Play for Tomorrow – Very British Futures Out now on your favourite podcast platform, the latest episode of Very British Futures, covering Bright Eyes, the second Play for Tomorrow from the makers of Play for Today. Broadcast in 1982. Written by Peter Prince and directed by Peter…

A village cricket match is the background for a 1982 political play about the future of the countryside. Join Steve Hatcher and myself as we discuss Cricket - the third episode of Play for Tomorrow. The new episode of the Very British Futures podcast #television creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/...

Crimes – Play for Tomorrow – Very British Futures To coin a phrase "Good news everybody!" There's been a hiatus with the Very British Futures podcast for a few months, although I have been recording several conversations. The reason was that I am presenting a mini-series about 1982 BBC anthology…

This was a real pleasure to record with Gareth… and it’s not Doctor Who (though I do manage to squeeze some references in) Enjoy!